Pitchfork and rake.



G. D. RYKER. PITCHFORK AND RAKE APPLICATION FILED JAN.24, 1 912.

1,034,306. Patented July 30, 1912.

7.llllll l m umluu WWW f/amzzmjjawd affomeq and CLARENCE DAVID RYKER, 0F GALENA, ARKANISAS.

rrrcnronk AND RAKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 24, 1912. Serial No. 673,032.

Patented, July 30, 1912.

To all whom, it may concern;

Be it known thatI, CLARENCE D. RYKER, a" citizen of the United States, residing at Galena, in the county of Howard and State of Arkansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pitchforks and Rakes, of

i which the following is aspecification.

This invention provides an implement embodyin two tools, such as a pitch fork a rake, the implement embodying a fork which is pivotally connected to the handle and means for securing the fork in an adjusted position, thereby admitting of the relative inclination of the fbrk to the handle being adjusted so that the angle of the fork to the handle may be changed to suit the operator or to convert the fork into a rake when it is desired to use the implement in such capacity. I

The invention resides more especially in the peculiar joint formed between the fork and handle and in the means for securing tion of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in i the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing, forming a part of the specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the implement as adapted for use in the capacity of a pitch fork. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the implement as it appears when adapted for use as a rake. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the'tang portion of the fork. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the metal end of the handle.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by the same reference characters.

The fork 1 may be of usual construction and has a tang 2 which is formed upon one 1 side with a rib 3 which is slightly widened at 7, the depressionbeing rounding to receive the'rounded end of the part of the handle pivoted to the fork. In the preferable construction the fork, tang and rib are ofintegral formation. 5 j

The handle consists of a metal end and a wooden pole or bar, the latter being secured to the metal end in any manner. The metal end of the handle comprises a ferrule 8 and a shank 9, the latter having a recess .10 in 1 one side to receive the rib 3 and having its outer end notched, as indicated at 11, to form a fork which embraces opposite sides of the inner end of the rib 3 to which the fork members are pivoted by means of the fastening 5. .The outer end of the forked end of the shank 9 is made rounding to snugly fit the depressions 7 at the sides of.

the rib 3 formed in the inner end of the tang 2. When the fork is turned into position to alinc with the handle, as indicated in Fig. 1, the rib 3 enters the recess 10, thereby forming a substantial and laterally braced joint. The fork members of the shank 9 are formed with transversely alined openings 12 through which the pivot fastening 5 passes.

Braces 13 of like formation are located upon opposite sides of the joint and are pivotally connected at one end to the extrernity of the tang 2 and have adjustable connection at the opposite end with the handle. Each of the braces 13 has a longitudinal slot 14 to receive a bolt 15 passed transversely through an opening formed in the handle, said bolt also serving to connect the bar portion of the handle with the metal end. Teeth 16 are formed along the outer side of each brace and engage correspondin teeth upon the inner side of'a washer 1 mounted upon the projecting portion of the bolt 15. By this means the brace is prevented from slipping when the parts are adjusted and the bolt 15 is properly tightened. The outer ends of the braces 13 are slightly curved to admit of the braces lying close against the sides of the handle when the fork is in line with the said handle. The

bolt 15 is provided at one end with a head" When the implement is te -be used as a pitch fork the parts are in substantiflkalinement, as indicated in Fig. 1 but when the implement is to be used as a rake the fork is turned approximately at a right angle to the length of the handle and is secured in such position by means of the braces 13 and fastening means l5'and 17 in the manner stated. The construction is such as to admit of adjusting the fork to the handle so that the implement may be adapted, to the convenience of the user according to the particular Work to be performed.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection'-with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation Will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device Which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are Within the scope of the claims appended hereto. 1

of the braces having a longitudinal sllit and ,having their outer faces toothed, a bolt extending through the handle and. through the slots of the braces, washers mounted upon the end portions of the bolt and toothed upon their inner faces to engage with the toothed portions of the braces and ineans for tightening the bolt to hold the toothed portions of the Washers :llqd braces in cngagement.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE DAVID RYKER. Witnesses: q R. T. Monms, L J. B. WAKELY. 

